So looking back over the past few days, we have identified topics we can consider when writing our incarcerated loved ones to share how we have found in our own lives that truth, right living, choosing to be at peace, giving faith a try, accepting salvation, the teachings of God, praying always, paying attention, never giving up and praying for all people are truly ways to put on the Armor or God.
This is truly Good News because there is nothing about those actions and choices that are prohibited behind bars. I'm not saying it is easy inside OR in the free world, but it is possible to take one of those ideas and wring out all the love to feed our hearts and rebuild our lives even at the darkest times and in the darkest places.
Today I have been reading about Ste. Terese of Lisieux (I do have a special love of women theologians) who said "Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers, and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love." She died at age 24, a modest Carmelite nun in France in the late 1800s. Yet today, nearly 120 years later, her smallest actions of love still speak to hearts and minds across the world.
Today, won't you commit to adding to your life a basket full of the smallest actions of love toward the incarcerated, the homeless, those in foster, nursing and group homes, the lonely and the sorrowful, the angry and the unlovely, the least of these our brothers and sister? Pray for them. Let love overcome fear in dealing with them. Contribute as you can to reputable organizations seeking to help them believe in redemption in the most practical of ways. Show up to volunteer. Accept positions of responsibility and leadership as you are lead.
Any and all of that gives you a life that will speak to those you love.
This is truly Good News because there is nothing about those actions and choices that are prohibited behind bars. I'm not saying it is easy inside OR in the free world, but it is possible to take one of those ideas and wring out all the love to feed our hearts and rebuild our lives even at the darkest times and in the darkest places.
Today I have been reading about Ste. Terese of Lisieux (I do have a special love of women theologians) who said "Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers, and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love." She died at age 24, a modest Carmelite nun in France in the late 1800s. Yet today, nearly 120 years later, her smallest actions of love still speak to hearts and minds across the world.
Today, won't you commit to adding to your life a basket full of the smallest actions of love toward the incarcerated, the homeless, those in foster, nursing and group homes, the lonely and the sorrowful, the angry and the unlovely, the least of these our brothers and sister? Pray for them. Let love overcome fear in dealing with them. Contribute as you can to reputable organizations seeking to help them believe in redemption in the most practical of ways. Show up to volunteer. Accept positions of responsibility and leadership as you are lead.
Any and all of that gives you a life that will speak to those you love.
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